Rewiring the Senses: The Impact of Sensory Integration Therapy on Balance and Cognition in Cerebral Palsy

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sensory integration therapy on balance, functional independence, functional mobility, sensory processing, and cognitive function in children with cerebral palsy.

Twenty-two children with cerebral palsy attending a rehabilitation center participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to the study group (two females, nine males; 7.3 ± 1.7 years) and the control group (four females, seven males; 8.3 ± 1.4 years). Sociodemographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Balance was assessed with the Pediatric Berg Balance Scale, functional mobility with the Timed Up and Go Test, functional independence with WeeFIM, sensory processing with the Sensory Profile, and cognitive function with Dynamic Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Children (DOTCA-Ch). Both groups received balance and coordination exercises (1 session/week, 45 minutes), while the study group additionally received individualized sensory integration therapy (1 session/week, 45 min) for 12 weeks.

Both groups showed improvement in all measured variables after the intervention. Although both groups demonstrated improvements in Berg Balance Scale and Timed Up and Go Test scores following the intervention, no statistically significant between-group differences were observed (p > 0.05). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between groups in WeeFIM, DOTCA-Ch, and specific subscales of the Sensory Profile (sensory seeking, emotional response, inattention, sensory sensitivity, and perceptual fine motor domains).

Consistent with the hypothesis, sensory integration therapy combined with balance and coordination exercises was associated with improvements in balance, functional mobility, independence, sensory processing, and cognitive function in children with cerebral palsy. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously because formal group × time interaction analyses were not performed.